Lambda Legal is opposing a motion by two churches to intervene in our lawsuit seeking the freedom to marry for same-sex couples in Illinois.

The Circuit Court of Cook County, Chancery Division, heard oral arguments in a motion by the Church of Christian Liberty and Grace Gospel Fellowship.

Camilla Taylor, Lambda Legal’s Marriage Project Director, says:

This case has no impact on a church’s right to exercise its religious liberty. The freedom to marry who you love, whether it is someone of the same sex or someone of a different sex, is not a religious issue—it’s about the government treating all families fairly. The couples in these cases come from all walks of life. Some have children; some are senior citizens. Marriage is something that will touch every aspect of their lives, but will never affect a church’s ability to practice its faith.

Lambda Legal and the ACLU of Illinois have each filed lawsuits representing a total of 25 same-sex couples seeking the freedom to marry in Illinois. The Illinois Attorney General's office filed papers agreeing that the ban on marriage for same-sex couples is unconstitutional. The Cook County Clerk and State's Attorney also agree that the marriage ban is unconstitutional.

After two County Clerks moved to intervene, promising a vigorous defense of the marriage ban, the Court entered an unopposed order permitting them to intervene as defendants.

Soon after, the Alliance Defending Freedom, an Arizona-based antigay group, moved to intervene on behalf of the Illinois Family Institute (IFI), an organization dedicated to advancing the view that gay people are sinful. IFI has a long history of making derogatory and untruthful statements about lesbian and gay people. Lambda Legal and the ACLU of Illinois have opposed IFI's efforts to intervene.